TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK Annual Report l January 2024- 31 December 2024 Registered Charity Number 1198161
TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK Report and Accounts 2024 Report from the Chair of the Trustees Trustees, Report Status of Charity and Governing Document Charity Information Charitable Purpose and Objectives 2024 Activities and Financial review Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Tavistock Foodbank 10 Income and Expenditure Account 11 Balance Sheet 12 Notes to the Accounts
Report from the Chair of the Trustees Over the past year our teams of volunteers have continued to work very effectively. We are grateful to each and every one, as they ensure that we continue to serve those in need in our community. Our established team has welcomed new volunteers over the past twelve months. We are grateful for the services of our dedicated volunteers who are involved in all aspects of the running of the Foodbank, including our trustees who oversee the work of the foodbank, Many of the churches in our town are represented amongst our trustee board, each of whom is a vital link to our local churches. I would like to thank Tavistock Area Christians Together {TACTI who oversee our work and take an active interest in supporting the Foodbank. We are grateful for Tavistock United Reformed Church, as the church continues to provide the venue as a distribution point, a storage facility for some of the goods that we distribute and a provider of meals and refreshments via the Lower Deck Cafe. We are also grateful to West Devon Borough Council for their continued provision of our additional warehouse space in Pitts Cleave, which enables eff icient stock handling. Tavistock continues to be a town of generous people and local groups. I would like to record our thanks to all the donors from our community who regularly donate food and money to Foodbank, many of whom are anonymous. I would also like to mention our local supermarkets and other businesses for the provision of collection points. We are grateful to those local businesses who support our Tavistock Foodbank voucher schemes through the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables, or fresh meat, or fuel vouchers. With our 3mazin8 team of trustees and volunteers. I look forward to another year as we serve and support our local community Robert Weston Chair of Trustees
Trustees, Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. Status of Charlty and Governing Document The Tavistock Foodbank was set up in 2012, its constitution was adopted on 16 July 2012 and amended during 2021 and 2022. It was established with the support of several local churches as a member of the Trussell Trust network of Foodbanks in the United Kingdom and it adheres to the governance and polices of the Trussell Trust. The foodbank was registered as a Charity on the 8 March 2022 and is governed by a Constitution of Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Charity information Trustees Rev Robert Weston Rosemarie Collins Crook Vicky Dawson Joan Dennis Julie Jillians Hilary Johnson Anne Keogh Julie Lloyd Deborah Palmer Sian Pope Anthony Welsh Chair Secretary Retired June 2024 Treasurer Appointed May 2024 Appointed May 2024 Address United Reformed Church Russell Street, Tavistock PL19 8BD Independent Examiner Andrew Wing LLB FCA Unit I Pearl Assurance House Elbow Lane, Tavistock PL19 OBG
Charitable Purposes and Objectives The relief of poverty by supplying emergency food parcels and other essential supplies either directly or through agency partners approved by the trustees to those in need in Tavistock, the surrounding area and in other areas. The alleviation of hunger caused by the lack of opportunities or resources to obtain sufficient food. The provision of support by such other means including but not limited to signposting to relevant information and other advisory services. We supply food parcels containing 3 days supply of nutritionally balanced food and basic household products to everyone referred to Us who is in food crisis for whatever reason. We aim to collect this through food donations from the local community and top up purchases funded by cash donations. We work with the referring agents in the Tavistock area to ensure everyone who is in food crisis is referred to the Foodbank. We engage with the local community to provide enough volunteers to give our clients food, a warm welcome and a non-judgemental space to be listened to and signposted to further appropriate help. PUBLIC BENEFIT The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission for England and Wales.
2024 Activities and Financial review The Foodbank started the year in a strong financial position, cash reserves were £41.8k. 2024 has seen a downturn, the value of goods and discretionary vouchers distributed to Foodbank clients exceeded the monetary value of donations. Cash reserves fell across the year from £41.8k to £30.Ik. In summary:
The Income and Expenditure Report {Page 101 shows a loss of £9,448 for the year, compared to a gain of £2,376 in 2023. The value of goods distributed or written off in 2024 was £49.3k, compared to £49.8k in 2023. The value of discretionary vouchers issued, for fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, and for energy cost support, was £21.8k in 2024, and £19.6k in 2023. An increase year on year of Il%. Donations of funds and goods in 2024 were £69.4k compared to £82.6k in 2023, a drop of 16%. Year-end food stocks increased by 36% from £11.3k at 31 December 2023 to £15.4k at 31 December 2024. The Foodbank made a Gift Aid claim covering the years 2022 and 2023. The tax refund contributed £3.2k to cash reserves. The table below shows the numbers of individuals SUPPOrted by the Foodbank, 1,824 in 2024, 1,810 in 2023. 2024 703 2022 2021 2020 392 Foodbank Voucliers Issued 286 People Helped.. Adults Children Total 1098 1141 957 420 293 713 624 402 1026 726 1824 669 1810 667 1624 Whilst the financial position at the end of 2024 remains healthy, the Trustees will review the status at regular intervals during 2025. In line with the Reserves Policy Ipage 121, the Foodbank's Reserves should be sufficient to allow it to operate for a minimum 6-month period. At current client levels this represents a Reserves value of £1Sk to £20k. As deemed necessary by the Trustees, action may be taken to boost funds.. additional fund-raising measures and grant applications, or, to cut costs- vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat and for energy cost support and CAB provision.
Warehouse Activities The collection and distribution of food to service the continuing demand from our clients would not be possible without the hard working and reliable volunteers in our warehouse teams. Stock is managed within two storage facilities. A unit at Pitts Cleave provided by West Devon Borough Council where incoming goods are sorted and dated. The second warehouse is at the URC church, where we aim to hold sufficient stock to service a weekly distribution session. We are dependent on the generosity of donors who supplied us with food and other household goods through the collection bins in local shops. We a150 benefited from church and school collections at Christmas and Harvest, from donations from Blue Cross, Cadburfs and Ambrosia and donations from special events in Tesco. Unfortunately, 328kg of incoming stock was out of date or damaged. To meet demand, we supplement donated items with the purchase of goods and 2,357kg were bought in 2024. We continue to use social media to highlight specifi'c items where there are product shortfalls. Our food donation5 over the last 5 years were: 2024 16,497 2023 19,434 2022 21,824 2021 2020 Food Donations KG 14,080 26,421 Volunteers We currently have excellent and stable team5 at front of house, in the warehouse and in administration, including safeguarding. We have been recruiting for an administrative volunteer and have now found the ideal candidate. All our volunteers are thoughtful, proactive, and committed to their roles. We endeavour through active recruitment to ensure we alway5 have sufficient volunteers. The process of recruitment has recently been reviewed and is currently being updated to ensure it follows a fair and rigorous process. The front of house team creates an environment where people feel respected and well supported. To help front of house team members achieve this, several are booked on to online Trussell training courses in Spring 2025, including 'Conver5ations with Vulnerable People,.
The warehouse teams at both Pitts Cleave store and at the URC store are effi'cient and flexible. The stock is kept well labelled, sorted and stored appropriately. Effective signposting is a core part of the Trussell food bank model and our volunteers have worked hard to ensure that they provide accurate and relevant information that might offer further support during a client's period of financial hardship. We h2vp. prndijr.pd nLJr own leaflets that detail local and national support on the various categories that affect our Foodbank clients, lives including housing, drugs and alcohol etc. The presence of Citizens Advice at the weekly Foodbank has proved to be an invaluable service providing both advice and making onward referral appointments for CAB services. We are working well with our referral agencies to ensure that referral guidelines are clear. Two volunteers are visiting each agency to discuss these guidelines. We re also in the process of updating our Referral Handbook. If a client is issued with more than 3 vouchers in 6 months, we undertake a holistic review of their situation, not only speaking to their referral agency but also signposting clients to the appropriate agencies to support them. We continue to see a significant number of clients with mental health i55ues. Our front of house volunteers are supportive, taking time to listen and to discuss with compassion and empathy often over a cup of tea. Our offer of 4 free meals at the Lower Deck Café with a Food Bank voucher enables clients to have a hot, homecooked meal in a companiable setting. I would like to thank our teams of volunteers who have responded so well to the ongoing need in Tavistock and surrounding areas. The Annual Report was approved by the Trustees of the charity on 21 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Revd Robert Weston
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Tavistock Foodbank I report on the accounts of Tawstock Foodbank for the year ended 3181 Dember 2024. which are set out on pages 10 to 13 below. Respectwe responsibiif(ies of tntrstees {directoYsl and examiner The organisation's trustees are responsibl8 for the preparation of the accounts. They Gonsider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144(21 the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and thal an independent examination is needed. It is my r8sF)onsibilty to.. Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act To follow the prOdUreS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. 88sl$ of Independent Examinerf8 Statement My examination was ¢arried out in a¢¢ordance with the General D1CtionS given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the organisation and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The pro¢edures undertaken do not provide 811 the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Indep8ndgnt Examkn•rf8 statnt In connection with my examination, no matter ha8 Come to my attention.. {1) which gtves me reasonable cause to beIve that in any material SpeCt the requirement8: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006., and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting rec<)rd8, comply with the a¢¢ounting requiremenls of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and wrth the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met., or (2> to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in ord8r to enabb a proper understanding of the accounts to be rea¢hed. A Wing LLB FCA {Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & INales) Wings Accountants Ltd. Unit 1, Pearl Assurance House, Elbow Lane, Tavistock. Devon PL19 OBG Date
TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 Unre5tri(ted Funds 2024 Unrestricted Fund5 2023 Income Donations- Cash Donations- Food Donation5- Vouchers Gift Aid Recovery Interest TtL Income 23,669 45,695 io 36,529 46,058 320 3,213 466 T3.053 162 Expenditure Distributed Goods Food donations- distributed Food donations- wrÈtten off Food Purchased Fruit and Veg Voucher5 Meat Vouchers Energy VoLJchers L Distributed Goods 42,609 I,ioi 4,363 5,085 5,720 8,799 69.370 5,817 5,7(X) 10.250 71.165 Other Charitable Attivities Citizens Advice Bureau Donations 4,390 5,410 5,670 Administration Costs Professional Fees Postage and Stationery Logo Goods Equipment Insurance and Data Protertion Mobile Phone Travel Claims Sundries L Administration Costs 3C 263 73 173 270 120 146 550 591 144 179 214 150 313 1.012 3,153 191 1.536 Total Expenditure 82.502 80,693 Net Income l Expenditurè 2.376 Net Movement in Funds FundsB/F Opening Stock Revaluation FundsCIF -9,448 53,059 2.376 48,935 1,748 53,059 45,514 io
TAVISTOCK AREA FOODBANK Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2024 2024 2023 Food Stocks 15,357 11,276 Cash at Bank and In Hand Cash at Bank Petty Cash rrL Cash 29,950 207 30,157 41,685 i(x) 41.785 Total Net Assets 45,514 53,059 Funds of the Charity Unrestricted Funds 45,514 53,059 The Financial Statements were approved by the Trustees on 21 March 2025 And were signed on its behalf by JML LQO (J Julie Lloyd Treasurer li
Notes to the Accounts: Basis of Preparation of the Accounts The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 2011. Policy on reserves Reserves Policy Our reserves policy is aimed to ensure our work is protected from disruption at short notice due to lack of funds. The reserves held are to allow the continuance of our objectives whilst ensuring we do not retain income for longer than required. These unrestricted reserves are not intended to cover a permanent loss of funds. They are intended to provide an internal source of funds for 51tuations such as: A temporary fall in income or increase in expenditure One-time unbudgeted expenditure Allowing the foodbank to respond to a permanent fall in income, or increase in expenditure The trustees regularly review the reserves, the aim is to ensure they are adequate to fulfil the Foodbank's non-discretionary services for a minimum 6- month period. Fund accounting All funds are unrestricted and can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Accounting Estimates and Judgements In preparing the financial statements estimates and judgements have been made in the valuation of food stocks and household items when applying the accounting policies for a fair value. These are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience. Recognition of Income and Expenditure The accounts are prepared on a cash basis. Stocks Stocks comprise food, toiletries and other household products held for distribution by the Foodbank. Stocks are valued at fair value after allowance for obsolete or slow-moving items. Rates used to value stock are £2.77 / kg in 2024 accounts (Trussell Trust guidance October 20241, £2.371 kg in the 2023 12
accounts. The adjustment in rates has given a revaluation gain on opening stock of £1,903. 2024 2023 Food in Stock B/F Food Donations Food Distri buted Food written Of* Food in Stock C/F Movement in Food Stock kg kg kg kg 4,758 16,497 15,382 328 4,482 19,434 18,693 465 4,758 277 5,544 786 kg Rate per KG Food in Stock BIF BIF Stock Revaluation Food Donations Food Distributed Food written Off Food i n Stock C/F Movement in Food Stock 2.77 2.37 11,276 1,903 45,695 42,6 8,874 1,748 46,058 44,303 I,ioi 11,276 655 15,357 2,177 13